Crime recording changes impact on year end figures (16 Jul 2015)

Crime in West Yorkshire remains low, despite national crime
recording changes which have seen some recorded offences rise
significantly.

As West Yorkshire Police revealed in April, crime to the end of
March 2015, is at a 31 year low, with 1,635 fewer victims compared
with the same period the previous year. However, figures for the
early part of 2015 show recorded crime beginning to increase.

This is largely due to stricter adherence to the National Crime
Recording Standard (NCRS), which means that all reported crime is
now recorded, unless there is compelling evidence to the
contrary.

"This is all about believing and supporting victims," said West
Yorkshire Police Temporary Chief Constable Dee Collins.

"Ethical and accurate recording is essential, though what it
will mean in practical terms is that many more crimes will be
recorded initially, even though we may find on further
investigation that no actual crime has occurred, or the crime is
different to that initially reported."

Closer adherence to the NCRS also brings recorded crime more
closely in line with the Crime Survey for England and Wales, which
reflects people's own experiences and supports the view that crime
has been declining for many years.

West Yorkshire Police has studied recent crime increases and
estimates that, of the 16.5% increase, between January and April
2015, 15.4% is due to this "NCRS effect"

"We openly admit that in the past we haven't quite got it right
as far as crime recording is concerned, which reflects the national
picture. In future, the data will more accurately reflect people's
experiences.

The changes mean that some recorded categories have risen, while
actual calls for service during 2014/15 - where people need the
police's help - have fallen. The number of calls for service
relating to violent offences fell by 12.7%, but recorded violent
crime offences increased by over 24%, a reflection of the changes
in recording practice.

Recorded sexual offences have risen by almost 50% compared to
the previous year, almost a quarter relating to historic offences
that occurred over a year previously. Increased confidence in
reporting is also likely to have had an impact.

"The changes under NCRS give a partial explanation, not an
excuse, as to why some figures have increased. But on top of this,
we have also seen a slight actual rise in crime after a sustained
period of crime reduction lasting many years," said TCC
Collins.

"Whilst this is concerning, it must be put in the context of
that long term downward trend.

"West Yorkshire Police officers and staff work incredibly hard
to serve and protect the public, but as our resources and those of
our partner agencies continue to diminish, that job becomes
increasingly difficult.

"Never the less, we are continuing to develop smarter ways of
working, embracing new technology which ensures our officers spend
more time in communities and less time on paperwork.

"We remain totally committed to the neighbourhood focused
problem solving policing that has served our communities so well
and will look to develop this approach with partners in the years
ahead."

Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire Police and Crime
Commissioner, said: "It is reassuring to see that overall crime
across West Yorkshire has continued to fall over 12 months, and
with severe government cuts to policing and community safety these
figures demonstrate the commitment of West Yorkshire Police and
other partners who work hard to help bring down crime.

"Given the challenges we all continue to face it is really
positive that there are decreases across many crime types,
including domestic burglary, drug offences, theft from motor
vehicles, theft and shoplifting over the 12 month period in
question.

"However, it is important to highlight crime recording issues.
Victims must come first and I will continue to closely monitor the
work of West Yorkshire Police in addressing the recording issues
but also the outcomes of this work.

"It is indeed concerning that the number of recorded violent
crimes and sexual offences have increased considerably and,
although increases can be accounted for in part by historic
offences and increased confidence in reporting, I have already
raised this with the Temporary Chief Constable to discuss what more
can be done to improve confidence in accurate crime recording, but
also what measures can be put in place by the police and others to
bring these figures down.

"I consider the emerging data such as this on a timely basis to
ensure issues are identified quickly and acted upon. I have been
working with the police and other partners throughout the year to
tackle crime and the causes of crime where increases continue, to
ensure that both officers and community partners are working
together to reduce crime wherever possible."